Affliction

Chapter 11

Jess

After dinner we all head to bed – tummies stuffed and the idis settling in, oh my gosh I complain to myself as I plop on my bed. Immediately my eyes begin to get heavy, I'm uncontrollably slipping into a food coma and there's no fighting it.

Buzz my phone alerts with a new message. It was rose; "Be careful, Margret is suspicious of me already and threatened to hurt me I don't want anything to happen to you to." She wrote – I had to reread it a few times to be sure I read it correctly. Why would Margret be suspicious and what she have again Rose that would cause her to send threats?

My stomach was too fully and bloated to really focus on the matter at hand "Will do. Be careful." I reply placing my phone back down and resting a while.

I must have fell asleep for a few hours because when I woke up staring at my sky roof the skies were painted orange and pink and the clouds disappearing; it was beautiful. I sit up taking a deep breath, the food had digested finally and I was able to be mobile again.

Deciding to take a shower I grab my towel and clothes and head to the bathroom, walking by Abby's room I can hear voices – sounded like Abby and a guy. That couldn't be she hated guys after what happened or so I thought, I peek through the cracked door to find Brandon was in her room with her, I didn't know what they were talking about but im glad that they were talking.

Abby had been in love with Brandon for as long as I can remember , I thought he would be the guy that would get her out this funk, minding my business I continue to the bathroom to shower.

Abigail

Brandon and I have been in my room talking for hours – this was the most interactive we've been together in years. "I miss talking to you, it's been a while." Brandon's rugged voice states as he lies back onto my pillows, "yea because you got popular and left all the little people below to admire and drool over you." I laugh, admiring the way his hard pecks poke through his v cut white T-shirt.

He gives his little devious smirk that shows that beautiful dimple of his, "I did not, I staid myself and talked to whomever approached me." He defends sticking an inch of his tongue out at me in a teasing yet playful manner.

"Like Margret."? I ask looking away; he sits back up right and folds his arms upon his lap. "You don't like me hanging around Margret"? He asks tilting his head like a curious puppy.

I press my lips together firmly biting my tongue of what I really want to say, "You can hang with whoever or whatever you want." I say calmly rolling my eyes in a flirtatious matter.

I look away at my bedroom window and realize the day had past and night fell. "Well shouldn't you be getting back soon"? I ask in a disappointing tone, he lays back on the pillows; "not if you don't want me to." He responds with that infamous smirk.

I chuckle and lie back alongside him, "even if I don't want you to my parents might." I joke; he chuckles and turn to his side.  The bicep in his right arm flexes as he relaxes his head on the palm of his hand. I can feel him staring at me as no words flow from his mouth "What"? I ask looking back at him now; he still staring – those deep blue's melting my heart.

"I need to tell ya something." he claims still staring at me in admiration. "What"? I reiterate – he smiles and begins "I was trying to tell you this last time, and with all that happened... I don't think your response will be as genuine," he continues.

As he begins to tell me what it was he was attempting to the night this happened my heart pauses in anticipation of what he could say next.

"I have feelings for you Abs I can't tell if its lust, love or something else." He continues, pausing for a second he sits up completely.

"I would get nervous to do a presentation but knowing that you were watching me gave me confidence, I can remember your fragrance, and love when your hair is tied up and not covering that beautiful face of yours."

He kept going complimenting me and my aspects of personality. "Stop I'm blushing." I cut in with a awkward rosy cheeked smile. He comes closer "I think...I want to be with you is what I'm getting at." He finishes, brushing my loose hairs behind my ear.

I don't respond at first, I'm flustered with emotion. I want to jump on him and kiss his face until he can't stand it – but I can't right now. Yes I still have feeling for Brandon he is one of a few real good friends I have, but after what happened... I can't just jump into a relationship either.

"Brandon, I'm sorry but." I start off thinking of the best way to tell him no. "It's okay." He cuts in with a soft understanding tone. He takes my face in his big hands and leans in.

He waits for a moment for me to approve of his actions – my heart stops; I've been waiting for Brandon to tell me this forever and even longer for me to rump up the courage to tell him the same.

I stare at his patient face for a few seconds before leaning forward to meet his lips half way.

As our lips touch there's a slight electric shock between us, literally. I pull back, almost immediately we both lock eyes again and go back in to retry.

Success; it was a simple kiss – no tongue, or open mouth just a small meaningful smooch.

Once we pull apart I blush and look away, "I appreciate you telling me, but at this time in my life I can't express how I feel or if what I'm feeling is as you said, genuine." I confirm turning back to his direction.

"I just need time to heal." I assure smiling back at him. He nods in understanding and backs off, "I figured that, just had to let you know." He assures standing up now.

I walk him down stairs and say goodbye. Watching him leave was so heartbreaking I felt like we had just broke up, though we never dated in the first place.

He turned to give one last wave goodbye and peeled off in his 2013 chevy impala which was his graduation gift apparently.

I wait until he hits the corner to close the door behind me, the house was quiet. I found some peace in the silence; it gave me time to process what just happened.